Accident Aérospatiale SA 341G Gazelle N76WH, Saturday 6 November 1993
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Date:Saturday 6 November 1993
Time:13:22 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic GAZL model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Aérospatiale SA 341G Gazelle
Owner/operator:Everything Flyable Inc.
Registration: N76WH
MSN: 1456
Year of manufacture:1978
Total airframe hrs:1955 hours
Engine model:TURBOMECA 3A
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
Other fatalities:0
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Lake Berryessa, CA -   United States of America
Phase: En route
Nature:Private
Departure airport:Calistoga, CA
Destination airport:
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
The private pilot and three passengers were on a scenic flight over a state recreation area. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter flying low, then disappear into a cloud of dust. The helicopter had collided with two 115,000-volt power lines. The pilot maintained control of the helicopter, but landed hard with wire strike damage to the hydraulic system and canopy. The pilot stated that he simply did not see the wires prior to the strike. The pilot stated that the wires were not marked. The wires are depicted on the San Francisco Sectional Aeronautical Chart.

Probable Cause: the pilot's selection of an inadequate obstacle clearance cruise altitude.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: LAX94LA038
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 10 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB LAX94LA038

History of this aircraft

Other occurrences involving this aircraft

6 March 2003 N16KH Bear Helicopters Inc. 0 ca 20 mi S of Alpine, TX sub

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
16-Mar-2024 14:46 ASN Update Bot Added

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